The Instagram Roundup #1

Instagram is probably my favourite social media platform. I've really discovered my passion for photography and Instagram has contributed to that a lot.

Recently I had no idea in what direction I was going. I wanted my photos to match, but I could not find filters that I really liked. I tried out some things, but overall I wasn't excited with the outcome. 

Then I stumbled across some 'How I edit my Instagram pictures' videos on YouTube and I got really inspired. I have been on an Instagram posting kick ever since and I am very happy with the direction that I am heading towards. It's actually what I wanted, but at the time I had no idea how to achieve it. I also downloaded the app Afterlight, which is amazing; €0,72 well spent!

On to my first ever Instagram roundup! 

I was very busy with finishing portfolios for uni and since working at home isn't the best environment a friend and I worked at uni in Amsterdam. This included some train journeys, intense study sessions, inspirational quotes and red velvet breaks. We eat that red velvet cake way too often. It's becoming a problem.

Now London is in less than a week, so what better than to celebrate #ThrowbackThursday with a London pic that I shot at Buckingham Palace. Beware for more London pics in the next couple of weeks! 

Last Sunday was Father's Day and my dad never really wants anything, because he says he already has everything. As the daughter that I am I can never show up with empty hands, so my sister and I always give him something. Sometimes we go for brunch and other times we go for the classic thing: flowers. My dad loves peonies, so we gave him the biggest bouquet of peonies. It was definitely a bit of a challenge to cycle home with all the flowers and not get hit by a car, but I made it!

Last Sunday was also the day that I was waiting for. As you might know this month was packed with concerts and gigs. I went to see Ariana Grande, 5 Seconds of Summer, Miranda Sings, Olly Murs and last but not least Taylor Swift. I LOVE her 1989 album and I think she is the loveliest human being ever. My friend and I meant to go and see her three years ago when she came to The Netherlands with her Speak Now tour, but we weren't able to make it. Luckily we did manage to get tickets for her sold-out show in Amsterdam. All I can say is that she is amazing live, she is so humble and down to earth and it was one of the best concerts I EVER went to. I also filmed a GRWM video where I will share some shaky clips with me singing along no worries I will not change my career path anytime soon, so stay tuned for that!

Follow me on Instagram for more photos! Also leave your Instagram names below! I would love to discover new Instagram accounts!

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

Pure Soul

One peek in my make-up drawer and you now that I am obsessed with nail polish. I have many colours, but I found out that there was one missing: a nude nail polish. I know, I know it's like the most standard colour, a musthave for every nail polish addict and I didn't have it..

The main reason for this is that I DID have some, but I used them so much that I throw them away and never replaced them.

Now lately I have been obsessed with white nail polish, but since I had a lot of job interviews I decided that a nude colour would be better. Luckily I found a cheap option in the drugstore and I have to say: I LOVE IT!

This beauty is from Essence, it's in the colour '05 Pure Soul' and it was €1,89. Such a bargain for this lovely nail polish. I really like the colour and it stays on for 5 days, which I think is pretty good for a drugstore nail polish. 

There are only two things that I don't like about it. It takes 3-4 coats to get an opaque nude colour. I just want to paint my nails with 1-2 coats and be done with it. Because there are four layers on my nails it takes ages to dry. I can't do anything, because one single movement will ruin everything. It's a real struggle sometimes haha.

I have never really found a nude nail polish that covers the nail in 1-2 coats, do you have any suggestions? All in all, I am very happy with this colour. I think it's perfect for any occasion and it looks very sophisticated.

What is your favourite nude nail polish?

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

Healthy Vegan Chocolate Snacks

When I was a kid I would always spend my weekend baking things. I would be at my dad’s house and spend my Saturdays searching through cookbooks to find the best recipes. This would result in either the best cake I ever made or a bit of a baking fail.

Now that I am older, 10-year old me with her baking skills still hasn't left me. You could probably already assume that by all the food posts that are on my blog..

Today I’ve not written everything down, but filmed it all! I made these healthy vegan raw chocolate snacks that are soooo yummy. I did post this recipe about a year ago, but since I love these chocolate snacks so much I brought them back in a video.

Get ready to see how I make these amazing snacks and fail a bit when it comes to equipment.

Don't forget to subscribe for weekly videos!

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

Brightside

Lush is one of my favourite shops. I just love their products and to be more precise their bath products. I love to sit in the hot colourful water, relax and have the most amazing scent surrounding me. Now Lush isn't the cheapest. It's basically flushing five euros down the bathtub, so when I do buy something it's a real treat. I am a big fan of their bubble bars. You can use it multiple times and it gives amazing bubbles, what's not to love?

Now Lush just opened a store at Amsterdam Central Station. When you walk into the building the typical Lush scent already salutes you and it's hard not to give in to this craving to pick up A LOT of Lush goodies. Luckily (or sadly, I am still deciding on that) I just missed my train, so I went to Lush to have a look around in their new shop. 

The shop is tiny, but it has everything you need. All those colourful bath ballistics make me feel like a kid in a candy store, so I was happy that the lovely ladies at Lush helped me with finding the perfect bath treat. I decided to go with Brightside. An orange and yellow swirly bubble bar that smells like Sicilian mandarins, bergamot and tangerine. It leaves the most amazing summery scent and it makes my bath water bright orange. Is it Fanta, is it a Lush bubble bar? You may never know!

I am very happy with my Lush purchase and I will definitely wonder off in their colourful shop when I've missed my train. They are also building a Victoria Secret store and a Kiko store at the train station. I am VERY happy with that, but my bank account not so much haha!

What is your favourite Lush bath product?

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

The London Wishlist #2

 Yes, yes. It's about London again.. I know I should shut up about it, but the truth is that I can't. And I don't want too.

In two weeks my friend and I, will be in London again! We went there two years ago and since that trip we basically won't shut up about it. WE LOVE LONDON. 

I was there six months ago and I also made a wishlist for that trip. Since then my brand new London wishlist has grown more and more, so today a London wishlist take two with some old favourites and new musthaves!

Revlon Colorstay Foundation & Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

I won't talk too much about these two, because I pick them up every single time. I just love these products so much! I still have two Collection concealers, but I have to buy moreeee

Pixi Glow Tonic & Pixi Glow Mist

Another fave of mine. I have been using the Pixi Glow Tonic for about 1,5 year and I love what it does to my skin. Review Alert! When I was browsing on the Pixi website I also saw that they have a new product: the Glow Mist. It seems lovely and I can't wait to try it out!

Soap & Glory Solar Powder

Another cult classic that I just need to get. I love a bit of contour and a bronzy glow, so this product is right up my street!

By Terry Ombre Blackstar

I have heard so much about these. I even picked up a Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes to get a similar look, but I think it's time to go swatch these in real life. I can't wait to go a bit crazy in Space NK.

Tangle Teezer

My hair brush needs a replacement and what is better than a Tangle Teezer. I wanted to pick one up for ages, so this seems like the perfect time to actually do it!

Real Techniques Bold Metal Brush

I already have the RT Expert Face Brush and I use that one every day, but you can never have enough brushes right? I think I want the 301 Flat Contour Brush, but I have to see them in the shop to know for sure.

Black Midi Skirt

I have been looking for one of these for ages! I want a high waisted midi skirt that is made of a thicker material, so it sucks you in. I already saw one at Weekday, but I still need to go into the shop to check it out and make sure that it fits perfectly. Topshop or New Look might have similar ones, so I will just see which one I pick up in the end.

Black Leather Jacket

I am in love with this leather jacket trend at the moment. It's such a staple in your wardrobe and you can dress it up or down. Zara has some amazing ones, but I can't wait to see what the London shops have in store!

Strappy shoes

I LOVE strappy shoes. I want a pair of strappy heels and a pair of flats. They are perfect for summer and I hope I will find mine in Primark or New Look! 

Black Heels

At the moment I am looking for a good pair of black heels. Just a classic pair that you can wear to any occasion: a job interview, a wedding or a party. I saw a gorgeous pair in Zara, but it wasn't the perfect fit for me. I hope that I will find them in the best city on earth! :)

What is on your wishlist?

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

The Vegan Chocolate Shake

I love fresh juices and shakes. They are just the best sweet treat! I had never really made a milkshake from scratch before. I usually order them in restaurants when I feel like I can treat myself to a yummy shake (Ed's Easy Diner has the best!). Those shakes are of course not very healthy, so today I made a healthy, chocolate banana shake that is so delicious you totally forget the other milkshakes exist. 

What do you need?

1 1/2 banana

1 tablespoon of cocoa powder (or raw cacao powder)

1 tablespoon of peanut butter

450 ml of almond milk

A splash of vanilla essence

A generous sprinkle of cinnamon

All you need to do is to put the ingredients in a blender and mix until you get a smooth shake. Put it in your favourite Mason jar, add a cute straw and sprinkle some raw cacao nibs on top. This will be the best ''milk'' shake you have ever tasted and it's way healthier! You could also add cold coffee to give it a caffeine boost!

What is your favourite healthy treat?

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

Neoderma Blue Blood Gel

When it comes to skincare I've quite a strict regime. I don't use new products very often so when I was introduced to this baby I was happily surprised. I have done the Neoderma treatments a few years ago and during that time I also used their skincare products. I wasn't too fond of the range, but there was one product that I liked A LOT: the Neoderma Blue Blood Gel.

The Blue Blood Gel is the most well-known Neoderma product. It's a serum full of vitamin E, peach seed oil and perfluorocarbon acid: an acid that improves the oxygen levels in the skin, which stimulates the collagen and elastin in the skin. 

What I like so much about it, is that it's very lightweight and the scent is very fresh. I apply the BBG before any other cream. This way all the other skincare products can soak better into the skin. I mainly apply it on my face, but you can also apply it on your neck and body and it's suitable for all skin types.

I use it both in the morning and in the evening and it really makes my skin super soft. Also when I pluck my eyebrows, I put a bit of the BBG on and it immediately calms down the sensitive area. And to top it all off, it makes my skin look healthy, glowy and smooth. 

The only downside is that it's not very cheap. 50 ml of this wonder product costs €47,20. I think, with regular use, a tube lasts about three to four months. But for me this is all worth it.

I have been using this product for 1,5 years and I know I will use it for many more years. I just love how it makes my skin feel and how radiant it looks. It's honestly the best!

What is your favourite skincare product?

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

The Perfect Shoes

Shoes are my everything. I have so many pairs that I stopped counting and I keep on adding new ones to my ''shoe collection''. My last addition was a pair of open toe shoes from Primark. I had been on the hunt for a pair like these for ages, so when I stumbled upon them I had to put them in my shopping basket.

I love the classic feel of them. They are perfect for every day, since the heel isn't that high, and because they are black they go with everything. I did have a blister situation in the first week of wearing them, but that's easily forgotten. A few plasters and I am good to go.

I would also love to get a pair of boots similar to these where the back is closed and you just have an open toe. It's a bit Kim K. style, but I like it! 

I see myself wearing these heels a lot in the summer time and with my white nails they are the perfect match!

What is your perfect pair of shoes?

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube

OPI Alpine Snow

The hype for white nail polish; I wasn’t the biggest fan, but I have to admit it has really grown on me. It even made me purchase this beautiful nail polish: OPI Alpine Snow.

Now I normally go for cheap nail polishes. Some are actually really good that I don't see the reason why to splurge on an expensive one, although I do love Essie a lot. 

I have only used OPI once in my life. It was about six years ago and I actually stole that nude nail polish from my sister. I used it all the time and I sort of 'forgot' to give it back. not really though

Since I really like white nails there is not much that makes me dislike this nail polish. It covers the nail within two coats and transforms the nails into a 'white as snow' look. It stays on for about 3-4 days and removing it is so quick and easy. My last nail polish was such a pain to remove, so I am very pleased with this.

I have to say that I have been wearing this nail polish pretty much 24/7. I love a minimalistic look, so white nails totally go with that!

What are your thoughts on white nail polish?

Follow me on Bloglovin | Follow me on Twitter | Like me on Facebook | Subscribe on YouTube